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Contarini
Guest
Such as? I have a very limited acquaintance with his teaching and thoroughly dislike what I know. But I’m willing to be instructed.
Edwin
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Mrs_V
Guest
Personally I do not care for him. Many people in my family do. I think that he has positive (though watered down) messages and see him as a kind of ‘gateway’ pastor to hopefully lead people to more mature Christianity. Candy tastes good for a while, but soon you want a steak.
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Contarini
Guest
No, it doesn’t. Two errors don’t make a truth. They make two errors.
I also have problems with the language some traditional Catholics use about “seeking” suffering. But that doesn’t justify the prosperity Gospel.
What are your theological reasons for liking him, drawn from Scripture and Tradition?
What virtues does he promote? What vices does he reprove? What truths does he illustrate?
It appears from what’s been said elsewhere that his church does a lot of good works, and that’s certainly to be commended. I have yet to be convinced that his teaching does any good.
Edwin
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Corki
Guest
No doubt – although the Catholic presence in the greater Houston area is not as large as the evangelical one.
The question was only “do Catholics like JO”. I like him for his community work. Not so much for his theology.
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Nicea325
Guest
I do not care for him or his messages. He is nothing but a motivational speaker with a twist of Christianity. He reminds me of Tony Robbins who is a motivational speaker. Problem with Joel Olsteen is that he gives everyone the hope he or she does NOT need to struggle or suffer through life. Apparently his Bible must lack 1 Peter.
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Prague
Guest
I think he would do better advertising Bryl Cream (A little dab will do ya):
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StevenFrancis
Guest
I think he just appeals to folks who are caught up in the world. Who want to focus on good things coming their way right NOW. Not as a reward in the hereafter. Olsteen, (and others), seem interested in what God can do for you today on the stock market, in your possessions, bank accounts, etc. He preaches a gospel of deserved materialism. It’s a very common message now.
Also, “feelgoodism”, (that’s what I call it anyway).
A good number of Catholics, when push comes to shove, don’t believe in Church authority or teachings about the sacraments, the papacy, marriage, contraception, abortion, sexual immorality, just war doctine, euthenasia, poverty of spirit, imitation of Christ, etc. mixing and matching as they see fit. Whatever feels right. And who can blame them? Their parishes don’t catechize them to do so. So they look at other Christian personalities, and don’t see any harm in it. They don’t even find a difference in theology. They have become tolerant and relativistic of all nominally Christian beliefs to the point of accepting all the different point of view as being valid. After all, why would fellow Christians teach anything that was untrue? It is all Christianity, after all.
The Church in many places in the U.S. and Europe fell down on the job for quite a while in teaching westerners Catholocism. I guess its improving, but we won’t see the righting of things over night. The Church could become a lot leaner for a while in Western Europe and the Americas, as she breathes, and gains her strength back. It will be gradual, but I believe it IS beginning.
Blessings,
Steven
Also, “feelgoodism”, (that’s what I call it anyway).
A good number of Catholics, when push comes to shove, don’t believe in Church authority or teachings about the sacraments, the papacy, marriage, contraception, abortion, sexual immorality, just war doctine, euthenasia, poverty of spirit, imitation of Christ, etc. mixing and matching as they see fit. Whatever feels right. And who can blame them? Their parishes don’t catechize them to do so. So they look at other Christian personalities, and don’t see any harm in it. They don’t even find a difference in theology. They have become tolerant and relativistic of all nominally Christian beliefs to the point of accepting all the different point of view as being valid. After all, why would fellow Christians teach anything that was untrue? It is all Christianity, after all.
The Church in many places in the U.S. and Europe fell down on the job for quite a while in teaching westerners Catholocism. I guess its improving, but we won’t see the righting of things over night. The Church could become a lot leaner for a while in Western Europe and the Americas, as she breathes, and gains her strength back. It will be gradual, but I believe it IS beginning.
Blessings,
Steven
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Izdaari
Guest
Just IMHO: Osteen is an excellent New Thought-based (Dale Carnegie, Norman Vincent Peale, Napoleon Hill, etc.) motivational speaker, but a terrible preacher, mostly ignoring the Gospel. He’s very good at what he does, and no doubt it helps a lot of people, but it isn’t especially Christian.
In fairness to Osteen, it’s what he grew up with. His father was a famous Word of Faith preacher, which has its origins in New Thought.
He does not seem to be well received by Catholics, if CAF is any example. The criitcism he gets here is nearly as harsh as he gets on IFB forums (I post on one of those too).
In fairness to Osteen, it’s what he grew up with. His father was a famous Word of Faith preacher, which has its origins in New Thought.
He does not seem to be well received by Catholics, if CAF is any example. The criitcism he gets here is nearly as harsh as he gets on IFB forums (I post on one of those too).
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Sailor_Kenshin
Guest
Criticism?
Seems to me that, if we as Catholics do not appreciate wholesale Cath-bashing by Protestants, the least we can do is display some charity.
Some of the responses here about Mr. Osteen have been far from charitable.
I don’t agree with Protestant theology, but they ARE Christians and many of them do overwhelmingly good work.
What would Benedict say? Would he waggle his finger and thunder, “Heretic!”
Would he have gotten the Anglicans back that way?
Seems to me that, if we as Catholics do not appreciate wholesale Cath-bashing by Protestants, the least we can do is display some charity.
Some of the responses here about Mr. Osteen have been far from charitable.
I don’t agree with Protestant theology, but they ARE Christians and many of them do overwhelmingly good work.
What would Benedict say? Would he waggle his finger and thunder, “Heretic!”
Would he have gotten the Anglicans back that way?
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Roy5
Guest
Joel Osteen is an interesting mixture. When he has the huge congregation hold up their Bibles and affirm them as God’s word, one might think that he is an evangelical Protestant. Maybe he is. But as I have watched him - not often, perhaps 10-15 times - he really belongs in the category of a Norman Vincent Peale or a Robert Schuller.
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Peale, Schuller and others preached a 'positive thinking' message, based loosely on scripture. It avoids most depth theology. It is in essense Protestant modernism, rather free from emphasis on traditional Reformation doctrines. It differs dramatically from evangelical Protestantism and is more in accord with mainline Protestantism (Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, UCC, Dutch Reformed, etc.).
Okay, I like Osteen generally. I am concerned a bit that he can be a bit deceptive, sort of all things to all people. But his positive message - 'you can do it' - is a major motivating theme to millions who need it. I much prefer it to narrow doctrine or 'give those sinners hell' or 'expect a miracle' themes. Osteen is on the same page as most Americans, Protestant or Catholic, who are not all that concerned with doctrinal or liturgical fine points. Most people need and welcome spiritual and moral support in confronting the woes of life, all the big and little problems that we confront. They want to have a deep faith in God, but as for the deeper theological meaning of the Eucharist or the attributes of Mary or the workings of saints and angels - well, they don't care all that much.
I find myself bored by Stanley because he is so narrow in his theology. This is true of most evangelical preachers I have watched on TV. I find a similar weakness in EWTN. It, too, focuses mainly on believing properly, being in the one true church, viewing the Pope with adulation, and following the precise teachings as defined by the magisterium. I confess that I'm one of those who likes to investigate, question, and even doubt - and not fret about it. I'm convinced that God isn't troubled when we use the brain he gave us, when we feel free to think for ourselves. This, of course, will be denounced as egotism.
I suspect that the Lord is far more open-minded than many religious leaders are. I'm ready to take that risk. Jesus certainly challenged the religious establishment of his day, embraced the Samaritans and others who were wildly 'heretical'. and seemed to emphasize more how we lived than what precise doctrines we accepted. See again those closing verses of Matt. 25. When he was asked how to inherit eternal life, how did he respond? He told the parable of the Good Samaritan. Faith, hope and love, these three - what is the greatest? Love always should be the focus of our Christian religion.
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familyof4
Guest
He’s a smoother version of Benny Hinn. No sale here either.
Prosperity preachers make me very leery.
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tundramom
Guest
I would challenge you to continue watching AFTER they make this grand gesture and count how many times he actually gives a scripture reference. OR how many people in the congregation, after making this declaration, do not actually open their Bibles.
Steph
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TEPO
Guest
I think of Joel in the same light as I think of most of the Mormons that I’ve encountered thus far… Very nice, very uplifting, very friendly.
He has a good attitude and I like him as a person… Thats it. As far as true knowledge though --He’s just a man.
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waxwing
Guest
TV Preachers have become a non issue for me, don’t watch them. Have come to the conclusion that the last place I would recommend a seeker to find answers is on the TV. Their may the odd sound minister that somehow makes it on TV, but the majority I see have their own agenda and that agenda is them.
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7_Sorrows
Guest
i have never cared for most televangelists. joel osteen is a little different as he is not fire and brimstone - not a jimmy swaggart or a benny hinn anyway. he has a nice smile and he seems to be a nice person and obviously, he has a huge following. he is more of a feel good,
motivational speaker i think with a little religion thrown into the mix. he is entertaining and definitely successful. but i don’t go to church to be entertained. i think if i attended his church i would feel a little disillusioned or empty after a couple of months, once the newness had worn off and i probably would stop attending.
i like my Catholic faith.
motivational speaker i think with a little religion thrown into the mix. he is entertaining and definitely successful. but i don’t go to church to be entertained. i think if i attended his church i would feel a little disillusioned or empty after a couple of months, once the newness had worn off and i probably would stop attending.
i like my Catholic faith.
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The_GreyPilgrim
Guest
You know what is the worst part of Joel Osteen, the media loves to use him as a means to ridicule Christianity.
He is a terrible apologist and when confronted by liberals-like when he goes on the View-he winds up looking like a moron; which is exaclty how they want to paint Christians.
Its obvious that he has had no real theological training and he really believes that he can work merely off of the power of his “charm”.
He is a terrible apologist and when confronted by liberals-like when he goes on the View-he winds up looking like a moron; which is exaclty how they want to paint Christians.
Its obvious that he has had no real theological training and he really believes that he can work merely off of the power of his “charm”.
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ComeHome2Rome
Guest
I think he is a great motivational speaker and enjoy listening to him on occasion as such; however, I can’t even imagine how awful it would be if my entire spiritual life consisted only of listening to him preach & reading the Bible!
I need to be Feed Spiritually, not just entertained! I need all aspects of our Holy Catholic Faith, especially receiving the Sacraments, the Rosary & Adoration in addition to the preaching of a priest and the reading of my Bible.
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Sailor_Kenshin
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Izdaari
Guest
Of course we can’t really know that.
But he does come off as ignorant when he gets asked apologetics questions on TV, and he has admitted on TV that he’s never attended seminary. I think it’s safe to say neither apologetics nor theological education are his strong suits.
Which is not to say he’s worthless: I sometimes watch him, and own some of his books, because he really is a very good motivational speaker, and he gives a lot of advice that if followed will make people’s lives better. But if his show is all the church you get, you’re going to be spiritually malnourished.
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